Advice needed about possible PhD (+3 kids) please!

[kunoichi]

I'm a self employed single mum of three and would really really like to continue studying towards a PhD (1+3? and preferably in New Media, the area I currently work in).

Since finishing my batchelors eight years ago, I've hoped to study more (I was a single parent then, studying while DS1 was in nursery and school), but life happened and for various reasons I've been putting it off.

Now divorced with three kids in tow, I'm self employed but barely earn anything. Right now I'm struggling to save the few hundred needed to fix my car let alone save thousands towards the cost of uni fees =(

I've read a little about Mres, does this lead directly onto a PhD? If so, is there any chance of being able to have the course fees funded for this and the PhD?

Also, is there any possibility of getting funding/grants for living expenses? Would I be able to claim IS, CTC, HB etc. or would I need to work to cover rent, food and all for the children and myself?

Luckily I live in Sheffield and have two universities to which I could apply so would be able to stay living in our council house (with the relatively cheap rent). One of them has a particularly interesting PhD (very relevant to my field of work), though I'd prefer to attend the other, where I did my batchelors ;)

I'm looking to start next year, when DS2 will be two and am very hopeful that by then DS's dad and my best friend will be able to help with childcare, but doubt I'll be able to earn anything like the amount needed while studying so finding funding is a be-all-end-all issue as to whether I should even apply.

Any advice whatsoever about this would be much appreciated =)

You could speak to the dept and see if they have any scholarships? Or if there are any professors in your field who have scholarships or studentships? These will find your tuition and pay you a stipend. You usually can top it up by doing a bit of teaching or any other research work although I won't recommend it!!!

Have you written a proposal (the gap as it être in research in your area)?

Thank you drcrab =)

I've been researching both universities and from what I can tell both offer studentships for PhDs. Contacting the departments (informally) will be my next step, though I must admit I'm very nervous!

I haven't written a proposal yet, though have done lots of investigating to see the gaps in my area and feel I have a lot of questions I could put into a proposal.

Would it be best to have at least a draft proposal before making contact?

As regards funding, have any Mumsnetters been able to find a studenship for a 1+3 PhD without having to earn a masters first?

Dear kunoichi
You cannot bring up a family of 3 children on a phd studentship alone even if you did not have to pay for child care. Most student ships are 13-14,000 a year

That is not enough to feed and look after a family of 4 in the UK. Assuming you have another source of family income (as well as help with childcare)
Here is a site for funding
findaphd.com/student/funding/funding-1.asp?gclid=CMmF3uSioLACFcohfAodJGtlWQ

I think the only people who get that are going straight after their 1st degree and only people with 1st class degrees. You may have to self fund a masters then apply for phd.

I am a lecturer and have supervised several PhD students to completion.

You shouldn't need a masters if you have a 2(i) or a 1st, but depending on the funding you would need one if you only have a 2(ii).

Whilst most studentship stipends are around £14-15k atm, this is tax-free. You can also apply to not pay council tax (as for other students) and if your university has a nursery, you will probably pay student rates - which are usually lower than those for staff. Funding for PhD's is hard to come by though.

You should chose your PhD based on the project and the reputation and rapport with the potential supervisor over the university you would be based at though. A PhD carried out under the supervision of a research leader in the field, will be worth more regardless of the reputation of the instiution. However, a PhD is hard work and you should make sure you like the supervisor you will be working with - it can be a nightmare for both student and supervisor if not.

An MRes does not usually lead directly to a PhD, though it can give valuable experience to help you decide whether a particular area for you. In general though, not really necessary as you will usually be officially registered as an MPhil student for the first year of your PhD anyway.

Thank you all for your helpful comments!

funnyperson I understand your concern about managing my family budget on a stipend, but tbh we're managing on about that amount per year as it is now (I'm self employed, earning a pittance after losing many clients through unplanned maternity leave)!

I think we may still be able to get some CTC? I think we'd be eligible if a stipend is not considered taxable income (which would help immensely!). And I'm hopeful that I could work p/t or at weekends to make up any deficit.

MoreCynicalEsmeWeatherwax it's good to know that supervision by a research leader is more important than the university! My BA was taken at the more prestigious (now RG) of the two in my city. The other was formerly a polytechnic, but includes a department I'd consider perfect for my field of study! I plan to start making enquiries tomorrow

I was all set for a first, but missed it by a few points and have a 2(i) (it's complicated, and I'm hoping an explanation plus details of my module grades will help with that). My BA was awarded 8 years ago. Just to clarify, do I still have a fighting chance of being accepted as a PhD student without needing a masters?

Between then and now I have established a good reputation in a very specialist field closely related to that which I'd like to study (unfortunately the work pays a pittance and I honestly miss studying!). I've self-published ebooks, been featured in a couple of (non-academic) magazines and already have much contact with (and work for) people related to my proposed field. Will this help my application for a PhD and/or funding at all?

Sorry I have so many questions! Since the idea of studying towards a PhD popped into my head, I can't stop thinking about the possibility!

Hi kunoichi. If you're interested in a social science PhD, as I guess you are if it's going to be on new media, then the best/most common funder will be the Economic and Social Research Council (see www.esrc.ac.uk/funding-and-guidance/funding-opportunities/looking-for-funding/index.aspx) - through their doctoral training centres they will fund a whole 1+3 studentship. It'll be very competitive but if you do manage to secure funding then, subject to progressing satisfactorily, you'll be guaranteed fees + grant for 4 years.

ESRC studentships (and most similar ones offered by universities themselves) are tax-free so equivalent to a larger taxable income.

The best next step would be to look at local universities/find some academics you'd like to work with/look at the ESRC's list of doctoral training centres and approach some people with an idea. If you're interested in 1+3 then you don't need a fully-worked-up PhD proposal at this point - you'll be able to develop that during your MA/MRes year - but you do need to have an idea of what you're interested in.

You can work on the application to the ESRC (deadline in the spring) with your proposed supervisor so they'll be able to give you lots of guidance.

ESRC studentships are very competitive. A good first degree is important but a 1st isn't essential. Other things that are important are track record in related fields (which you have), fit to supervisor/department, strong references, and an original, exciting idea.

Hope some of this helps.

Should have said, in the social sciences, in my experience, a Masters is these days essential research training for a PhD, but in the 1+3 model would be included.

I'm just finishing my PhD off (1 month left)
From my experience you do need a masters for most (/?good) universities except in some sciences (where they then tend to do 4 yr PhDs). You can get onto 1+3 courses to get around this though and then get funding for the whole period. It is also possible (or was 4yrs ago) to get ESRC/AHRC funding for stand alone Masters if you intend to pursue a PhD afterwards.
You can claim CTC. They take a while to process as the form obviously looks odd as you have no taxable income to declare! You'll get the maximum amount if you have no other income.
You don't get taxed. The stipend goes up every year by about 2% (with the AHRC at least) and you don't have to pay council tax.
As a single parent you may also be eligible for more help i.e. HB.
Funding councils pay more than Universities on the whole. They are also hugely competitive, but then the money has to go to someone so always worth a punt!
You can also top up your income with teaching and marking if available.
You also often get a few hundred a year for research costs from the Uni.

Frankly if I were you I wouldn't do it. It is a lot of work. It is very hard with a child/ren to maintain the kind of focus you need. Having a PhD will feel great, getting it (as a mum) doesn't really! I loved it when I was child free as could jet off on field trips, to conferences and get into all the extra bits. Now, trying to juggle childcare, it is just hard slog to get to the finish line. Sorry f that's too negative!

Are you thinking of a PhD to enhance your current career, or to go into academia? If the latter, you should bear in mind that the job market is absolutely brutal at the moment. In some fields it is not uncommon for over 500 people to apply for one postdoctoral post.

Crazyspaniel my main motivation is to enhance my career (and hopefully follow a slightly different path) rather than wanting to be in academia. I wouldn't say no if offered an opportunity! But my aim is to be a consultant, work with schools/businesses/etc.

girlgonemild - nah you're not being overly negative! I already have a pretty good idea of what I'd be getting myself into as DS1 was a toddler when I began my first degree (and from the second year onward I was working p/t too!). If I were able to find a studentship (and still get some CTC) I wouldn't have to work much (if at all) to be at the level of income we have now, so I'd be able to focus all of the time I spend now in self-employment researching and studying instead.

spaceal thank you very much for your detailed advice! I've made initial contact with the department I'm most interested in and hope to be able to chat informally to someone soon

Much appreciation to all of you for your advice!

I also supervise PhDs. I second that it is about finding the right supervisor. It is essential to find someone you are congenial with: are you type of person who wants their hand held or likes to be left to their own devices? See if you can meet other PhD students from the department too. The cohort with which you study can be very supportive.

Not relevant for the social sciences, but note that an MRes can in some cases lead to an EngD (although weirdly the MRes itself isn't always funded, once accepted you are much more likely to get onto the EngD programme), so anyone reading this from the engineering or physical sciences has an alternative option for funding and the stipend can nowadays be a tad higher than the 14k quoted upstream. As said, findaphd is used by most universities I know to advertise studentships.

Also, have a search on Google Scholar scholar.google.co.uk/ for articles in your area and see whose work you admire (this is also good preparation for writing your research proposal, which is essential for your application) and once narrowed down, write to them with a brief outline of your research interests (not just "I fancy doing a PhD" - demonstrate you know her work and that you've read around the field!). I'd also recommend reading 'How to get a PhD', which has excellent guidance on selecting a university, a supervisor and about what a PhD is all about. tinyurl.com/cf3x646.